Check-selecting mechanism.



o. H. HAMILTON.

CHECK SELECTING BIHIGHANISIML- APPLICATION FILED OOT. 21,,1907.

930,544. Patented Aug. 10,1909.

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C. H. HAMILTON. CHECK SELECTING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1907.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909'. 3SHEETS-HBET 2.

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Jag gay V IL CQ H. HAMILTON. CHECK SELECTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1907.

930,544. Patented Aug. 10,1909.

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CHARLES H. HAMILTON, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGEIR. THAYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHECK-SELECTING mncnnu'rsni.

To all whom it may concern:

Be, it known that I CHARLES H. HAMIL- 'roN a citizen of the'Ilnited States, residing at dhicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Check-Selecting Mechanism, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, whic form a part of this specification. My invention relates to coin controlled apparatus, and more particularly to means for guarding against the u-seof improper checks or other devices. I I

Heretofore it hasbeen found to be practically impossible to protect coincontrolled apparatus in such a manner as to avoid 0 eration by means of coins or checks other t an the particular coin or check which it is intended should be inserted in order to effect- 4 the oferation. It has also been diflicult to guar against the tampering with the mechanisms in such a manner as to producethe efl'ect exerted by a de osited check or coin without, in fact, ma ing such a de osit. Difficulty has also beenexperienced in evis ing guarding mechanism which will be effective even though the machine or apparatus to which it isattached be tilted or be otherwise moved out of the normal position. The object of the presentinvention is to provide means which-shall, under all'condi tions, guard. effectually against the use of an improper check, coin or other device, or the use of a proper check, coin or other device in an improper manner. a v To the above end I have devised an arrangement wherein each check or coin which is deposited is accurately measured, and be.- fore the check or coin can exert a controlling influence it is acted upon by a selective device which is governed in its operation by the size of the coin. The means formeasuring the coin is preferably such that it may be adjusted withextreme nioety, so as to cause theselective devices t-o reject any check or coin which shall vary in the sl' htest degree from that which may roperly e employed.

The various eatures of novelty which characterize my invention will'be hereinafter Specification of Letters Patent. Application med October 21, 1967. Serial No. 398,378.

pointed out with particularity in the claims,

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

I but for a full understanding of my invention in its various as ects reference is to 'be had to the following etailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a cross-section taken longitu dinally through the check receiving elements 'of an apparatus embodying a preferred form of the present-invention, the section being taken on line 1-1 bf Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the ar 'ows; Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2- 2 Fig. 1, looking upward; Figs. 3 to 6, inclus ve, are views similar to Fig; 2, showing war-ions positions of the measuring and selective means, some-of the stationa parts shown in Fig. 2 being omitted lbr the sake of clearness; Fig. 7 is a plan viewof the parts shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 8 1s a View similarto Fig. 2, showing a slightly difi'erent position of the parts, however; Fig.

9 is aview similarto Fig. 8, showing the positions of the parts at the instant the selective mechanismcomes into pla Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing t e parts, however, inthe positions which correspond to the positions indicated in Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a detail-showinga modified measuring device' In the drawings I have omitted'the mechanism which is adapted to be controlled bythe check or coin, since the present invention is not limited to any particular arrangement of this character, it relating simply to the means for selecting the proper checks from the impro or ones, and ermitting the delive of t e r'o or chec s to any point at whic it ma 5 trol some ot er mechanism.

e esired that they shall con- Referring to thedrawing, Aindicates a movable check-receiving member which, in

the illustration, takes the form of a slide. This member is mounted in any desired manneru on a suitable housing-B, so as to per- Init t e check-receiving openinga to ap ear on the exterior of the housing. In the orm of my invention illustrated, the slide is in the form of a flat plate, sliding within a chute having top and bottom walls I) and I) respectively, the slide fitting this chute snugly so as to permit substantially no lost motion. Between the under. side of the slide and the wall 6' is arranged a plate 0, which is slidably mounted uponthe member A between guides a whereby the member C is .free. to move lengthwise of the member A within a limited cepta'cle, The fork-p is adapted to engage with the edge of a check and press it against a fixed shoulder a on the member A. i

It will be seen that when otherwise free the position ofthe member C on the slide is determined by the size of the check in the check-receiving opening, the size of the check in the present instance being with reference de osited them.

to three points distributed circumferentially of the check. It will, of course, be understood, however, that the size of the check may be determined with reference to any desired numberof points on its circumference; it,being unnecessary that three points of contact be obtained when the invention is cons'idered in certain of its aspects, while in othe'r'aspects of the invention it is desirable that three or'more points of,contaet be provided. 1 W r It will be seen that the measuring device may be made to respond to very minute changes in'the size of the check, so that its position relative to the member A will change with every slight change in the check which is inserted.

I make use of the measuring device to controlselective means in such a manner that the proper checks are permitted to go into the machine and exercise the desired control while all checks which differ in the slightest degree are returned tothe person who has t will, of course, be understood that vari' ous forms of selective devices may be employed, but the form'illustrated-jn the drawings has been found to beverylsatisfactory and efficient. 4

Pivotally sup o'rted upon the under side of the member at the inner end thereof is an elongated arm E having an arrow-shaped detent e at one end. Between the members C and E there is also preferablymounted a plate F, which is pivoted upon the same pivot c which forms a support for the mem er E. .-The membersE and F are united through a pin and slot connection consisting of a pinin themember F and a slot 6 in the member E. A spring e normally holds the pin within oneend of the slot, as indicated in Fig. 2. a

f is a spring arranged between the member G and the member F and tending nor- 'mally to hold the member F against anadj ustable screw a carried upon'the member A. The pivotal movement of the member E is preferably limited by means of a pin and slot connection consisting of a pin 0 projecting from the member C through a slot (2 in the member E.

In Fig. 2 the parts are shown in the positions which they occupy when the member A is in its normal position, viz: there is a spring G which acts u )on the member A so as to force it outwardly until a shoulder a, engages with a fixed stop, such as the end of the wall 1). Before the shoulder a strikes the stop, however, a screw or other projection c on the member C abuts against another fixed stop, as, forexample, against the'wall b surrounding an opening I) in the wall I), (the opening b being that through which the check is ejected after the slide has been pushed inwardly.) The effect of this is that as soon as the member 0 abuts against its cooperating sto the member C is brought to rest, while t e main portion of the slide continues its outward movement to a slight extent. This causes the member C to be retracted slightly from the check-receiving opening, at the same time compressing the spring D. The parts are so proportioned t at when the members A and 0 come to rest the late F has been forced against the adjustab e screw 0, sufliciently far to cause the relations between the pin f and slot e, and thepin c and slot a to be those indicated in Fig. 2', viz: the pinf is at one end of its'slot while the pin 0 is at the opposite end of the slot with which it cooperates. In other words, both the springs e. and the springf are undercompression. There may now be placed within the cheek-receiving opening a a check of any desired size, provided that it is no larger than the opening itself. Then, upon pressing the slide. inwardly, the first action which takes place is that the shoulder a recedes from the fixed stop, while thmspring D, which has been placed under compression, maintains the screw a against its cooperating step. In other Words, the main portion of the slide begins to-move while the member C remains stationary. This causes the screw a to be retracted; ,the spring being under tension, however, forces the plate F about its pivot andcauses it to-follow u the screw. This continues until the pin 5 reaches the lower end of the slot e and t en the member E,

which has heretofore remained stationary,

begins to travel with the late F, so that the detent e swings latera 1y. The relative movement between the slide'and the member C can continue only so long as the jaw or fork 0 remains out of engagement with the edgeof the check, for as soon as the check is clam ed between the shoulder a and the jaw c t e members A and C are locked together and-then continue to travel together.-

Of course, as soonas the members A and C are locked together, the oscilllation of the plate F and member E ceases and the detent 1e remains in a fixedposition upon the slide.

. movement of is controlled by the'size posite direction, viz: into I make use of the detent, whose position of the check, to actuate a selective device upon the continuance of the inward movement of the slide. Thisselective device may take various forms, but I have found that one of the most convenient and simple forms consists in a deflector, which may be in the shape of a hinged door H so arranged that when the detent occu ies a the slide; but if the detent has been shifted slightly to one side or the other of this predetermined position, the doorjs engaged by the'detent upon the inward the slide and is carried out of its normal position. In theone case the check, after being delivered from the slide, is guided by the deflector into the mechanism which the check is to control, while in the other case the check is guided to a discharge outlet which returns the check to the erson who has deposited it. may not be engaged by the detent after a proper clreck has been placed within the checkreceiving slide, I provide it with a notch h in its upperedge, Whichis of such a width as to permit the detent to pass through it when the detentis. in' the predetermined position. All other times, however, the top of the door is enga ed by the detent at one side or the other 0 the notch, and the door is caused to be swung inwardly as the slide approaches its innermost position. I

I In Figs, 3 to 6 I have shown the various positions which the detent and the member. C occupy withrespect to'theslide. Thus,. 3 the parts are shown in their'normal;

in Fig. positions, assuming the slide to be in its outer mostposition. In Fig; 4 the slide has been pushed inwardly sufficiently to ermitthe C to engage t e edge of.

aw of the member the check I, this. check belngindicated, as one which is slig tly larger than a proper check. In Fig. 5 the conditions are the same asin Fig. 4 but the check I. is such a check as it is desired shall be selected and deposited within the check-controlled mechanism. In Fig. 6 the check I is smaller than the check I, the check I being such a one as should be discarded.

It will be seen that in Fig. 5 the detent is exactly in the middle ot the slide, while in each of the other three toward one side or the deflector will be actuated when the checks I and I are in lace, and these checks will be discarded an thrown out of the apparatus, while the check I will be deflected 1n the 0pto the fact that the detent occupies such a position that it-will fail to engage with the deflector when the slide is pushed inwardly.

While the checks I and I? have been exaggerated in size so as to more clearly distinpredetermined position 1 h 'upon the sli e the door' is unaflected by the inward movementof frontwhich a discarded check may In order that t e deflector which engages with the j wherein the check its nose figures it is displaced other; therefore thethe machine, due

y will gu ish the positions of the detent, it will, of course, be understood that the parts may be sonicely adjusted that the most minute variation in the size of a check will cause the detent to be displaced sufficiently from its inoperative position to cause it to operate the deflector and thus discard the check The-wall '6, upon which the slide rests, has in it the opening b to which reference as been previously made, this opening being so located, with respect to the deflector .that when the deflector is in one position a check deposited ,through the opening engages one side thereof, while when the deflector is in the other position the check engages the opposite side. Thus every check is delivered either into a .chute K, which leads into the machine which is to be controlled, or into-a chute K, which leads to a receptacle 1? exterior to the housing, and be taken by the person who has deposited it.

Various expedients may be adopted for ejectin a check from the slide after it has reache the proper oint. I preferably, however, provide the s ide with a shoulder a exterior of the housing 'ust as the slide reaches the position carried thereb with the opening b in the su porting wallb. Any suita 1e device may'ti ien be brought into play to engage the check and force it downwardly through the opening and toward the deflector. v may be ejected positively'and thereby be prevented from sticking in the slide, I provide'a dog L pivotally su ported. uponv the frame-work at l directly a ove the-opening b. The nose-l of the doglis adapted to play .up and down within an opening 5 withinthe top wall b. Normally the nose of the dog is he d out of the openingzb? by means of a spring Z In order that the dog may be operated a aiiistthe tension 0' the sprm" and e forced ydownwardly throug the opening I)? and against the top of a check, I provide a rod 1 Wh' end to the dog'and passes through ano ening a in a stem at projecting 1i wardly roin the slide A. Surroundin the rec end of the rod it is a spring Z Whic against a nut or other adjustable member I carried by .the stem. The rod Z is of such length that, as the slide ap roaches the limit of its inward movement, the member a engages With the end of the spring land causes the rod to be carried backward with the slide. The spring Z is made stronger than the spring P, so that the 'dog is rotated against the tension of the spuingl without com letely compressing the spring 1 It be seen that by this arrangement the check is. first accurately discharg e popeningand t e. do positive y against its upper si e,- so thatit registers In order that the check lch is connectedat one positioned over tho L is forced bears at one end will be ejected with certainty. By providing a sprin between the fixed stop or nut on the end the rod and the member a, a yielding pressure is secured, and if by any 3 chance a very thin check or other device should be inserted in the slide in such a manner as to jam it, there will be no danger of injuring the ap aratus due to an unyielding pressure upon t e ejecting dog.

13 Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, are a series of views showing the operationof the device when a check of the proper size is introduced. Thus Fig. '8, which corresponds to Figs. 2 and 5., shows the detent in its redetermined inoperative position just -a er the slide has started its mw-ard movement; Fig. 9 shows the positions of the arts after the slide has completed its inwar movement. It will be seen that the check I is exactly over the 2s opening b int-he wall b In Fig. 10, which is asection taken at right angles to Fig. 9, the o eration of the ejector is illustrated. It wi be seen that the detent has passed the deflector without affecting it, and theiefore the ejected check will be deposited within the chute or handle K which carries it to the apparatus which is to be controlled. Fi 10 also indicates, in dotted lines, the position which the deflector assumes upon .30 pressing .in the slide without having placed erein a check of the proper character; the deflector being held toward the left against the tension of the spring .h

It will be seen that a mechanism con- 55 structed in accordance with the present invention operate with absolute reliability to select the good checks from the bad, regardless of the position in which the mech; anism may be placed. The mechanism can be given any degree of sensitiveness desired. Thus a device adapted to discard every- --thing except nickels can be made so sensitive as to discard nickels of certain series which differ almost imperceptibly in size trom the usual size; and, since'the checks of brass or other material which .are largely employed as controlling devices, vary muc more in size. relatively -'to each other and to nickels, there is little danger that there will be a failure to discard such a check. Furthermore, since the check or coin is disehar ed at a point within the housing, and whic can only be reached through the slide- .receiving chute, there is no possibility of interference 'with selective-devices, .eit ier a'ccidentally or mischievously. There is also no danger of injury to the more delicate parts due to rough manipulation of the slide, since the shouldersa and a? on the slide bear to all the shocks due to inward or outward pressure or blows on the slide. By rovidmg means suchas a pine andslot a or limiting :the movement of the member C upon theslide, further protection against tamperingis afforded.

. the band expanded,

In Fig. 11 is shown a modified measuring device. The bar C, instead of having a jaw at one end, has secured thereto one end of a tape or band M, the op osite end of which is secured to the slide. he ultimate position which the member C can assume is' determined by the size of a check which is inserted within'the band. A large check will hold while a small one will allow it to contract. The band, in fact, ac- -5 curately measures the circumference of a check, or at least the major-portion 'thereoif. While I have described my invention in detail only as embodied, in the preferred form, I do not desire to be limited to the g specific form so described, since the sco e of my invention is commensurate with t e definitions thereof constituting the ap ended claims, and I aim to cover all mo ifications falling within the scope of such claims. 35 What I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

1. A check-selecting mechanism including means for measuring diiferent sized checks by engaging therewith at three or more 0 points distributed circumferentially.

2. A selective-device for checks and governing mechanism for said device including means for measuring a check with reference to three or more oints distributed circum- 5 ferentially of the c ieck.

. 3. A selective-device for checks and (governing means for said device controlle by the size of a check as determined by the relation of three or more points distributed 0 circumferentially of the check.

4. In an apparatus having a plurality of check receiving channels, a device for con-" trolling the entry of a check into one or the other of said channels, and governing means 05 for said device, said means including ade'vice for measuring the check with reference to three or more oints distributed circumferentially of the c eck.

5. In a check-selecting apparatus, a de- 0 fiector for a check, and a controlling device for said deflector arranged to engage with a check at three or more points distributed circumferentially of'the check irrespective of the size of the check.

6. In a check-selecting apparatus, a .defiector for a check, an actuator for said deflector, and means for controlling said actuator, said means being arranged to engage with a check at three or more points distributed circumferentially thereof irrespec tive of the size of the check.

7. In a check-.se'lecting apparatus, a movable check-receiving member, a selective device arranged .adjacentsaid member, :and a controlling mechanism for said .device ar-' ahle-cheelereceivmg member, a selective device adjacent said member, and a controlling mechanism for said device arranged on said member and including means for measuring the size of a check with reference to three or more points distributed circumferentially of the check. v i r Y 9. In a check-selecting ap aratus, a movable member for receiving a clieck, a selective device, a controller for said device arranged on said member, and a measuring device for governing said controller.

10.. In a check-selecting apparatus, a movable check-receiving member, aselective de vice arranged adjacent said member, an actuator for said device mounted on saidmemher, and a check-measuring device for controllinglfaid actuator. v

1 a check-selecting apparatus, a movable check-receivin g member, a deflector arranged adj acent said member, a check-measurer on said member, and means controlled by said measurer for actuating the deflector upon movement of said member.

12. In an apparatus ha y a pair of checkreceiving channels, amovable' check-receiving member, a device forldetermining the channel into which a check shall enter, and means including a'check-measurer on said meinber for controllingl said device.

13. In an apparatus aving apairof checkchannel into whicha check shall'enter, a check-measurer on said member, and means controlled by said measurer for actuating said deflector.

14. In a check-selecting apparatus, amovable check-receiving member, a selective-device arranged adjacent said member, means including a check measurer on said member for controlling said device, and means for causin the check to be brou ht into operative re ation to said device when said member is moved into a predetermined position. 15. In a check-select' ap'paratuaamovable member, a selective evice adjacent said member, a measuring device on said member for receiving and measuring a check, means controlled by said measuring device for governing said selective device, and means for forcing the checkv from said measuring device mounted on said me when said member reaches a predetermined position.

16. In a check-selecting apparatus, a movable member, a check-deflector adjacent said,

and means for causlng a check contained in said device to move from said device toward the deflector when sald member is moved 'to a predetermined position.

17. In a check-selecting apparatus, a movable member, a detent 'movably mounted on said member, a selective device arranged adj acent said member in position to be engaged and actuated by said detent upon moving said member with the dete'nt'in a certain position with respect thereto, and a checkmeasuring device on said member arranged to determine the position of said detent with respect to said member.

18. In a check-selecjzin apparatus, a movable member,-a selectigve-device arranged adjacent said membe a detent movably rgiberfand adapted to actuate said selective-d vice upon movement of said member while the detent is occupying certain positions thereon, and means on said member controlled by the size or a check for 4 actuating said detent relative tosaid memreceivingchannels, a movable check-receiv- ,b ing member, a deflector for determining the I er. 19. In a check-selecting apparatus, a movable member, aselective-device arranged adjacent. said. member, a detent movably mounted u on said member and adapted'to actuate sai selective-device upon movement of the said member while the detent occupies a certain position thereon, a check-measurer on said member adapted to receive a check an'dto control the position of the detent on said member, and means for causing the check to leave said measurer and said member when said member is brought into'a redetermined relation with respect to said se ective-device. In testimonywhereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. HAMILTON. Witnesses: WM. F. FREUDENREIOH,

HARRY S. QA rnEa. I 

